Pilot loading or control regulator



Oct.'19, 1943. A. D. M LEAN PILOT LOADING 0R CONTROL REGULATOR Filed Nov. 10. 1939 3 Sheets-Shoot 1 INVENTOR. /9//6/7 Q/Vaaevn ATTORNEY.

Oct. 19, 1943. A. D. MacLEAN 2,331,994

PILOT LOADING OR CONTROL REGULATOR Filed Nov. 10, 1939 3 Sheets-Shut 2 8 N g i 0000017171 6 0 q \J 8) Q4 g; WWW W 33 Y I T n 1 Q 's R Q 3; M 8 "3 g 5'' R *3 L72: \J\ N "Q a; a

Q g @l QIQQ H Q 8 INVENTOR zV/fi? 0/706160/2 BY 4 {M ATT RNEY.

Oct. 19, 1943. A. D. MBQLEAN 2,331,994

PILOT LOADING OR CONTROL REGULATOR Filed Nov. 10. 1939 3 Sheets-Shoot 3 mvENTdR. 67/60 0/8861 m.

Patented Oct. 19, 1943 2,331,994 PILOT LOADING OR CONTROL REGULATOR Allen D. MacLean, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Pittsburgh Equitable Meter Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November 10, 1939, Serial No. 303,800

' pressure producing device may be employed for Claims.

The present invention relates to pilot loading or control systems in which a pressure is maintained in the system outlet which i dependent on the demand or rate of flow therein. In gas distribution systems it is frequently desirable to have the pressure in the distribution or street mains increase with increased rate of flow or demand in order that a sumcient supply of gas be maintained at periods of peak demand. When the pressure supplied to the district overnors is relatively low, a directly acting regulator may be employed, and a suitable pressure boost may be obtained in known manner. However, in those cases where the pressure supplied to the district governor is high enough to require a pilot loading or control system of regulation, the arrangements available for low pressure regulators are not satisfactory. Usually in pilot loading or con- ;rol systems the inlet pressure is on the order of ieveral pounds and may be as high as several jiundred pounds pressure, whereas the outlet pres- ;ure may be on the order of several ounces, and the variation in rate of flow will produce a pressure difference of only a few ounces available for controlling the high pressure valve. This pressure is not sufiicient to produce an appreciable effect on the high pressures mployed for loading or controlling the main regulator in such systems.

According to the present invention I provide a pilot loading or control system in which a changein pressure on the order of several ounces due to a change in rate of fiow in the regulator outlet is made to control a pilot pressure on the order of several pounds, and thus produces a loading effect in the outlet' dependent on the rate of fiow. This is accomplished without the intermediary of links or other mechanical leverage mechanisms. In the preferred modification there is provided a main regulator and a pilot regulator, the latter having a plurality of diaphragms providing separate control chambers to which are conducted the pilot loading pressure for loading the main regulator and the pressure change due to rate of flow in the main regulator outlet in such manner that the pilot loading pressure exerted on the main regulator is changed by variation in the rate of flow and thus actsto change the outlet pressure in accordance with the rate of flow. The preferred type of element employed for producing a pressure differential dependent.

this purpose.

The invention will be described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein I have illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention by way of example, and wherein Figure 1 is a view partly diagrammatic of a preferred pilot loading system,

Figure 2 is a sectional view showing the preferred differential pressure producing device,

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section through a preferred type of pilot control regulator, Figure 4 is a view in vertical section showin a preferred type of automatic safety valve,

Figure 5 is a partly diagrammatic view of a preferred pilot control system, and

Figure 6 is a further modification of a pilot control system.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 to 4, the numerals l and 2 represent high and low pressure mains .respectively of a fluid distribution system with a regulator body 3 therebetween having a reducing valve 4 therein which preferably is of the balanced type opening downwardly. The stem 5 of valve 4, as shown, is connected by a coupling 6 of suitable construction to the operating stem 1 of the pressure loading head, indicated generally by the numeral 8. The head 8 has a diaphragm 9 therein of suitable construction providing separate fluid pressur chambers I0 and II on opposite sides thereof and a stufiing box l2 may be used to separate the fluid pressure responsive chamber l0 from the pressure within the regulator body 3. Pressure chamber I0 is connected by a conduit [3 to any suitable point in the low pressure main, and may have an adjustable restricted orifice therein, such as a needle valve I 4, if desired.

A multiple diaphragm regulator indicated generally at I5 is provided to apply a loading pressure to the chamber ll of the pressure loading head -8. Fluid pressure from the high pressure main l is conducted by conduit l6 through the valve inlet ll (Figures 1 and 3) of the pilot regulator 15 into valve chamber l8 and the outlet conduit ill from the valve chamber I8 is con nected by a conduit 20 to the loading chamber ll of the pressure loading head 8. An extension 2| of conduit l9 having an adjustable needle valve 22 therein i provided for venting the conduit 20 to provide a slow bleed to atmosphere. The conduit 20 thus serves as an inlet and outlet to chamber ll.

Referring to Figure 3, the regulator I 5 comat 36 adjacent its other end to the casing and carries a valve 31 adapted to control the orifice I1.

A control diaphragm 38 is secured at its outer periphery between the flanged case 26 and a third case member 39, and at its center the dia-,

phragm is clamped between plates 48 and 4| to the diaphragm rod 32 by lock nuts 42. There is thus provided a chamber 43 sealed from valve chamber I8. The opening in the top wall 44 of case 39 is closed by a diaphragm 45, the periphery of which is clamped thereto by a ring 46, and

' the center of which is secured to the diaphragm rod 32 between washers 41 by lock nuts 48. There is thus provided pressure chambers 43 and 49 on the opposite sides of diaphragm 38.

A cover member 58 provided with a vent 5| to atmosphere is secured to case 39, and a spring housing 52 is threaded into the cover. of spring 53 abuts an abutment plate 54 suitably secured to the diaphragm stem 32 and the other end engages an adjustable abutment 55 having a stem 56 threaded through cover 52 and locked in position by nut 51. A cap 58 encloses nut 51 and the end of the stem 55. A tapped connection 59 is provided for control chamber 49, and a tapped connection 68 is provided for low pressure chamber 43. A conduit 6| having a needle valve 62 therein connects conduit I9 with the control chamber 49 (Figure 1).

I provide a suitable differential pressure producer in the low pressure main, such as is described in Patent No. 2,093,842, issued September 21, 1937 ,to Allen D. MacLean and Fritz Niesemann to produce a zone of low pressure dependent on the rate of flow. The preferred construction of the pressure diflerential producing device is shown in detail in Figure 2 and comprises a hollow cylindrical body member 66 inserted in the pipe line and clamped by bolts 61 between the flange 68 of the regulator body 3 and flange 69 of the adjacent pipe section of the low pressure main 2. The orifice plate 18 is secured by screws or by any other suitable means to the internal shoulder 1| of the insert.

A pipe or conduit 13 is threaded at one end into a hole 14 in the insert 66 and is connected by a passage 15 with the interior of the insert 66, and at its other end the conduit 13 carries a T fitting 16 which receives a ported body member 11. A second conduit 18 is threaded at one end into bore 19 of the body member 11 and at its opposite end its is ehreaded into an inserted Venturi section 88 constructed as described in Patent No. 2,893,842. The low pressure producing device herein described is preferred because it is compact and within a very short pipe length a great differential in pressure and excellent recovery can be produced with an over-all pressure loss much less than would be produced by an orifice plate alone required to give the same diflferential pressure. However, it will be understood that any other type of low pressure or differential pressure producer may be employed.

One end Bore 19 of ported body member 11 terminates in a valve chamber 8|, and the annular space between tubes 13 and 18 communicates by a bore 83 and tube 84 with a valve stem channel 85. A conduit 86 leads from valve chamber 8| and is connected at 58 with low pressure chamber 43 of pilot regulator I5. A throttling valve 89 preferably is inserted in conduit 86, which may be adjusted to vary the rate of flow therethrough and thus vary the sensitivity of response of diaphragm 38 to changes in rate of flow in main 2. As bore 19 and stem channel both terminate in tapered valve seats it will be apparent that the relationship between the pressure in valve chamber 8| and the low pressure zone at the throat of inserted Venturi section 88 may be varied by adjusting the valve member 81. If desired, plug 88 may be removed from T 16 and the conduit I3 connected thereto to the main 2.

I provide a double acting safety valve 98 to prevent sudden changes in control or loading pressure. Referring to Figure 4, this safety valve comprises a body having a passageway 9| connecting with a passage 92 terminating in a valve edge 93. A plunger 94 having wing guides 95 is located in enlarged bore 96 and carries a seat insert 91 at its end adapted to co-operate with valve edge 93. A plug member 98 threaded into bore 99 serves as an adjustable abutment for spring I88 which determines the pressure in passage 9| required to unseat valve plunger 94. When valve plunger 94 is unseated fluid flows through orifice 92 into chamber 95 and out passage I8I to conduits III and 86.

Passage I8I is extended through chamber 96 as indicated at I82 and communicates with an orifice I83 terminating in a valve edge I84 and closed by a valve plunger I85, exactly like valve plunger 94 and biased by a spring I86, the pressure of which may be adjusted by an abutment I81. It will thus be seen that an excess pressure. in passage I82 unseats valve plunger I85 and allows fluid to escape into passage 9|. Passage 9I is connected by conduit II8 with conduit 6| and loading chamber 49 of the pilot regulator, and passage IN is connected by conduit II I with the conduit 86 and control chamber 43. There is also provided a by-pass conduit II2 having a valve II3 therein, and a cross conduit I I4 by which the various pressures may be equalized 'when installing the apparatus.

The operation of the apparatus now will be described. To better understand the principle of operation, it may be assumed that the pressure in conduit 86 is constant and that valve 31 of the regulator I5 is throttled to a position such that the flow entering conduit I9 is equal to the bleed through valve 22 so that a constant load is applied to chamber II over diaphragm 9. As chamber I8 is connected by conduit I3 to the low pressure main, the diaphragm 9 will respond to the diiference in pressures in chambers I8 and II (the pressure in II being assumed constant) and thus will respond to the pressure in main 2 to control valve 4 to maintain a pressure in main 2 corresponding to the assumed constant loading pressure in chamber II. The pressure in chamber II is dependent upon the position of valve 31 (the bleed valve 22 being kept fixed) and by controlling the position of valve 31 in accordance with the demand in main 2, the pressure in chamber II may be increased or decreased in accordance with the demand.

The position of valve 31 is determined by the are taken into account.

summation of 'a number of opposing forces. The forces tending to open valve 31 are the spring 53, the pressure in chamber 49 against the diaphragm 38, and the pressure in chamber 43 out changing the regulator I it would merely hold the pressure in main 2 substantially constant. However, the increased flow in main 2 produces a lowering of pressure at the throat of Venturi vsection 80 and this lowered pressure is transmitted by conduit 86 to chamber 43, thus upsetting the balance of the pressures controlling valve 31 and causing valve 31 to open and increase the pressure in conduit I9. This causes an increase in pressure in chamber I I so that now hold valve 31 closed until the bleed 22 has lowered the pressure in chamber II down to a corresponding lower value, and valve 4 will not open until the pressure in main 2 reaches this lower value.

It will thus be seen that an automatic loading force is provided on the diaphragm 9 which is dependent upon the rate of flow in the main 2 lator I5. A conduit I25 having a needle valve I2I therein connects conduit I25 to the low pressure main 2, or if desired, this conduit may be connected to pipe I3 (Figure 2).

The operation of this modification now will be described. When the flow in main 2 increases it causes a drop in pressure at the throat of the Venturi section 89 and this low pressure is transmitted by conduit 86 to the chamber 43 and acts to open the valve 31 of regulator I5. This permits a greater flow from the chamber I22 through conduit I23 and conduits I25 and I26 to the main 2, and causes a drop in pressure in chamber R22 so that the weight 2' causes the diaphragm III) to lower and open valve 4 thus increasing the flow from main I into the low pressure main 2. This increased flow continues until the pressure conducted by conduits I26 and I25 to chamber 49 builds up sufilciently to overcome the upward force on diaphragm 38 exerted by gas in chamber 43 to close or restrict valve 31 and thus build up a pressure in chamber I22 sufiicient to overcome the weights II 2' and close or restrict valve 4. When the demand in main 2 falls off the pressure at the throat of the Venturi section rises, thus increasing the pressure in chamber 43 suificiently to overcome the downward force and causing valve 31 to become restricted or closed, which results in building up the pressure in chamber I22 and to raise diaphragm III) and close valve 4.

so that the pressure in main 2 builds up as the I valve 4 is controlled by a diaphragm III) in diaphragm case III' and a loading force is provided by a weight I I2 on a lever I I3 secured by a link II 4' to the diaphragm and valve stem I. The control pressure is supplied from the high pressure main I through an outlet pressure controlled high pressure regulator II5 having a relatively small diaphragm H6 and a strong spring I. The gas from valve chamber IIB passes by a conduit II9 having a needle valve I2I therein, to the chamber I22 underneath the diaphragm III) and the conduit I23 conducts the gas to the regulator I5 on the outlet side. The conduits I I9 and I23 thus serve as inlet and outlet for chamber I22. Chamber I24 above the diaphragm III! is vented to the atmosphere in any suitable manner. The throat of Venturi section 80 (Figure 2) is connected by conduit 86 (Figure 5) to the chamber 43 (Figure 3) of the regulator I5 and the outlet chamber I8 is connected by conduit I25 (Figure 5) to the chamber 49 of the regu- In the modification shown in Figure 6 the valve I 39 in bowl 4 opens upwardly and is controlled by a lever I3I connected to a rod I32 having a diaphragm I33 secured thereto. A weight I34 rovides a loading force for the diaphragm. Gas from the high pressure main I passes through a regulator I I5 and by conduit I I9 and needle valve I2I to the chamber I 22 beneath the diaphragm I33 and a conduit I23 connects conduit II9 to the inlet side of a regulator valve I35. The regulator I35 has a sealing diaphragm I36 providing a valve chamber I31 and a control diaphragm I38 is controlled by weights I39 thereon. A'vented chamber is formed above the diaphragm I38 and a control chamber I40 below the diaphragm I38 is connected by a conduit I4I having a throttle valve I42'therein to the throat of the Venturi section. The chamber I31 on the outlet side of the regulator I35 is connected by conduit I43 to the low pressure main 2. A by-pass I45 is provided between conduits I23 and I 43 and is controlled by needle valves I46 and M1.

In this modification it is desirable to employ a pressure limiting device. As shown in Figures 6 and 2, the pressure limiting device consists of a direct acting back pressure regulator I50 having a connection I5I on one side of the valve I52 communicating with passage I5, and the conduit I53 on the other side of the valve I52 connects with the valve chamber 8|.

The operation of this modification now will be described. The diaphragm I33 is loaded by the weights I34 and gas passing from the high pressure main through the regulator H5 and conduit II9 into the chamber I22 and bleeding into the low pressure main through conduits I23 and I45,

needle valve I41 and conduit I43, counterbalances the load on the diaphragm I33. As valve chamber I3I of regulator I35 is sealed by a diaphragm I36, the valve of regulator I35 reproduced m the Venturi section transmitted to the chamber I40 causes the diaphragm I31 to drop and thus opens the valve of the regulator I35 and allows escape of fluid from conduit I23 and thus lowers the pressure in chamber I22 and permits diaphragm I33 to lower and open the valves I30 to increase the flow into the low pressure main 2.

When the pressure in the main 2 rises too high due to the creation of too great a diil'erential pressure in the inserted Venturi section, the valve I52 is opened by the back pressure regulator I50, thus allowing a flow from the main through passage "I5 (Figure 2), conduit I5I, valve I52. conduit I53 and passage I9 into the throat of the Venturi section to increase the pressure at the throat. This increase in pressure at the throat is transmitted to chamber I40 against dia phragm I31 to close the valve of regulator I35 and the pressure in conduit H9 therefore raises the diaphragm I33 and closes the valves I30. The valves I30 remain closed until the pressure at the throat of the Venturi section again reaches a value sumcient to enable the valve of regulator I35 to be opened.

I am aware that in the art the term pilot control system is frequently applied to a system in which the main regulator valve is loaded by a weight or spring and the pilot flow counteracts the force of the weight or spring, and the term pilot loading system is frequently applied to a system in which the main regulator valve is loaded by a pilot ilow. However, in the present application I have used these terms synonymously unless otherwise expressly indicated.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a gas distribution system, a main regulator valve adapted to be inserted in a conduit and having a'diaphragm connected thereto forming chambers on opposite sides thereof, means providing a loading force and a control force acting on opposite sides of said diaphragm, at least one of said forces being produced by gas pressure, a pilot regulator valve for regulating 0r governing said gas pressure force, a diaphragm connected to said pilot regulator valve and subject on one side to the gas pressure force, means in said conduit responsive to rate of flow for producing a zone of low pressure, and a second diaphragm connected to said pilot regulator valve and subject on one side to the pressure in said.

low pressure zone and on the other side to said gas pressure force.

2. In a gas distribution system, a main regulator valve adapted to be inserted in a conduit and having a diaphragm connected thereto forming chambers on opposite sides thereof, a conduit connecting one of said chambers to the outlet side of said valve, a pilot regulator valve for supplying gas pressure to the other of said chambers, a diaphragm connected to said pilot regulator valve and subject on one side to the gas pressure, means in said first conduit responsive to rate of flow for producing a zone of low pressure, means for bleeding the pressure from said latter chamber, and a diaphragm connected to said pilot regulator valve and subject on one side to said low pressure zone and on the other side to the pilot gas pressure.

3. In a gas distribution system, a main regulator valve adapted to be inserted in a. conduit and having a diaphragm connected thereto forming chambers on opposite sides thereof, means providing communication between one of said chambers and said conduit, a pilot regulator valve for supplying a loading pressure-to the other or said chambers, means providing a variable bleed from said loading pressure chamber, means in said conduit responsive to rate of flow for producing a zone or low pressure, said pilot valve being connected to a diaphragm with differential pressure chambers on opposite sides thereof, means for conducting the loading pressure to one of said differential chambers, and means to conduct said low pressure to the other or said differential chambers, whereby said pilot regulator varies the loading pressure in accordanc with the rate of flow through said conduit.

4. A pilot loading or control system comprising a. high pressure main, a low pressure main, a valve for controlling the flow of gas between said mains, gas pressure responsive means connected to said valve to operate the same, means upplying gas under pressure to load said pressure responsive device and having a bleed opening, means in the low pressure main to produce a low pressure dependent on the rate of flow 'therein, and means controlled by said low pressure for controlling the gas supplied to load said fluid pressure responsive means, comprising a valve, a plurality of diaphragms of unequal area connected to said valve providing separate gas chambers, a conduit providing communication between the chamber bordered by two diaphragms and one of said mains, and a conduit providing communication between the other of said chambers and said low pressur producing means.

5. In a gas distribution system, a main regulator valve adapted to be inserted in a conduit and having a diaphragm connected thereto forming chambers on opposite side thereof, means providing a loading force and a control force acting on opposite sides of said diaphragm, at least one of said forces being produced by gas pressure, one of said chambers having an inlet and an outlet at least one of which is governed by a pilot valve to control the gas pressure force in said chamber, a diaphragm secured to said pilot valve subject on one side to atmospheric pressure and on the other side to said gas pressure force, means in said conduit responsive to rate of flow for producing a source of low pressure, a third diaphragm secured to said pilot valve and subject to said low pressure source on one side and to said gas pressure force on the other side to respond to the differential pressure for controlling the gas pressure force, and means to vary the rate of transmission of said low pressure to said pilot valve diaphragm.

ALLEN D. MACLEAN. 

